When the kids don't lift off: How can you start your epic retirement?
And in today's newspapers, 'The myth of retirement is a con, don’t fall for it'
In this week’s edition:
Newspapers: The myth of retirement is a con, don’t fall for it
Feature: When the kids don't lift off: How can you start your epic retirement?
Podcast: How Trump's presidency and market volatility could affect YOUR super and your retirement with Mary Delahunty from ASFA
From Bec’s Desk: Did you hear the news?
Before we get started though… a promotion for our upcoming How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course.
The next How to Have an Epic Retirement 6 week flagship course kicks off on the 10th April. And if you want the 25% off earlybird price then you’ll need to book in the next few days. BOOK HERE | DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE
Our last course (Autumn 25) is just wrapping up — look at some of the feedback coming in:
Thank you for your positive and vibrant delivery of your modules within this course. Clear, concise and to the point, that is not easy to do when you need to cover so much information to a wide audience at different levels of their Epic Retirement. Well Done and Thank you. Your passion to help inform people on all the important topics have been invaluable and the knowledge I have learnt will certainly prepare me for my Epic Retirement.
The course is amazing. Well structured, great content, Bec is very clear and it is easy to understand her message. There is so much to take in, very happy that we also have the workbook and paperback version to take and make notes as we go.
Great course. Bec you are really offering an amazing service. Thank you. I love your entrepreneurial bent is also providing such a helpful service.
The course is interesting and well designed and the concepts clearly articulated. Picked up interesting facts from Q&A sessions too.
When the kids don’t lift off
How can you have an epic retirement when they still need you?
Many of those entering retirement imagined it a little differently, didn’t you?
Retirement was supposed to be the time when things would ease off a bit. You’d raise your kids, help them through school or uni, maybe lend a hand with a house deposit, and then — eventually — they’d launch. You’d get your lounge room back. You’d stop being an unpaid Uber driver or personal loan provider. You could finally turn the page to your next chapter. Prime Time. Epic Retirement. You time.
But for many people, that chapter is being delayed. Or rewritten entirely.
Because many kids haven’t lifted off.
They’re still at home. Or they’ve come back. Or they’ve got real problems — financial, mental health, work-related, relationship breakdowns — and they need you more now than they did when they were little. And you love them. Of course you do. You want to help. But you also wonder: when is it my turn?
This is one of the hardest parts of modern retirement. Not the money. Not the super system. Not even the health stuff. It’s this grey zone of expectations and love and guilt and survival.
And no one really talks about it. Let’s talk about it.
Why it’s happening
There are a bunch of reasons this is happening more now than ever:
Housing costs are astronomical – especially for under-35s trying to live in cities and make ends meet.
The job market is unstable – casual work, layoffs, career shifts, or automation are hitting young adults hard. And they’ll probably be even more impactful in the years ahead.
Mental health issues are rising – and you’re often the emotional (and financial) backstop for neurodivergent kids who need extra support and kids with mental health issues alike.
Cultural norms have shifted – launching isn’t just moving out. It’s becoming self-sufficient in a very expensive world. That’s harder now than it used to be.
And while most parents are happy to support their kids when times are tough, what’s often unspoken is the toll it takes — emotionally and financially — especially when you're at the point where you're trying to wind down, not gear up.
It can feel like emotional whiplash
You’ve probably spent decades planning, saving, imagining. You finally get to the age where you can start dreaming big again — travel, new hobbies, more time together, downsizing, volunteering, a slower pace. And then life says: “Hang on. Not yet.” One child or even two whiplash back into your home.
It can be disorienting. It can feel selfish to even say, “I want this next phase of my life.” But it’s not selfish. It’s valid. And it matters.
We need to make space for both truths:
Your adult kids may genuinely need your support right now.
You still deserve to design and live a meaningful, enjoyable second half of life.
So what can you do?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. But here’s what I’m seeing work for people:
Have a grown-up family conversation.
Be honest about your timeline, your plans, and your boundaries. It doesn’t have to be a confrontation — but don’t let your own needs get lost in the chaos. Kids are often more understanding than we give them credit for, especially if you frame it as “I want us all to thrive.”
Redefine the dream.
Maybe your Epic Retirement doesn’t start with caravanning or overseas adventures. Maybe it starts small — one weekend a month where you take time for you. One day a week that’s not about caregiving or crisis-managing. You don’t have to go big to go epic. Remember — Epic is about meaning, passions and purpose too.
Set financial boundaries.
This one’s tough, but important. Supporting adult kids can’t come at the cost of your own long-term wellbeing. If you drain your super or keep postponing your transition out of full-time work, it’s not just your retirement at risk — it’s your ability to be there for them in the long run.
Explore options beyond you.
If your child has health, housing, or job challenges, see what services or support systems exist beyond your household. You don’t have to shoulder it all alone.
Reclaim a piece of yourself.
Whether it’s a creative pursuit, a walking group, a course, or just coffee with friends — keep that part of you alive. You’re not just someone else’s parent or safety net. You’re still you. And you matter.
And remember — this is a generation-defining challenge that is new to the retirement phase. More and more people in their 50s, 60s, even 70s are helping their adult kids navigate a rougher world than we expected. It’s not easy. It’s not fair. But it’s real.
The goal isn’t to walk away from your family. It’s to walk into this next season of life with clear eyes, open hearts, and a plan that honours everyone — including yourself.
Because your Prime Time hasn’t disappeared. It might just look different than you thought. And that’s okay.
Hey — did you hear the news? I snuck it into this week’s Prime Time newsletter, but I’m so excited I have to put it in here too. The Prime Time podcast this week debuted on the Triton Australian Podcast Ranker which lists the top 200 podcasts in the country. And we came in at #184 for the first time on the ranker since we launched just over a year ago. It’s an amazing thrill to know that the help and support we’re bringing to life are resonating and that you’re coming back time and time again.
Take a look for yourself. I’m a bit stoked. Big thanks must go to the team at Nine who do all the production and sales on it!
Head down - bum up — that’s my last week. Deadlines everywhere. That’s what it felt like. But we’re almost through them…
My little 12-year-old puppy is battling the paralysis in a good way and we’re optimistic of a slow recovery. And he’s a joy to spend my days caring for while writing scripts, running courses and making podcasts. He’s swimming with me and has learnt how to use his bark again (it disappeared for a few weeks) which can be challenging during a call when he wants attention 😉.
The Epic Retirement Flagship Course for Autumn is almost over. Week 6 six lessons have dropped, and we have our last live Q&A this week. This one with Fiona Dalton a real travel guru about the secrets of the travel industry and how to get amazing deals. It’s a ripper… I can’t wait for Monday night.
And our next course (Our Winter Edition) kicks off on the 10th of April. We have heaps of people booked for it already — so the earlybird 25% off won’t last too much longer. Make sure you lock in your place as I’m packing welcome packs and sending them off next week. More information here:
And don’t forget — you can book for a couple with just one ticket and just buy an extra workbook on the way through so you can each still work through your dreams as individuals, alongside each other.
This week on the Prime Time podcast I had the enigmatic Mary Delahunty, the CEO of the Association of Superannnuation Funds of Australia to talk to us about the volatility in the market and the things to think about when panick starts to strike. People are really enjoying this one leaving comments all over social. Make sure you have a listen.
Got some thoughts about the topics this week — leave a comment or write me an email. I love to hear from you!
You can always email me at bec@epicretirement.com.au.
Many thanks! Bec Wilson
Author, podcast host, columnist, retirement educator, and guest speaker
The traditional view of retirement is a con, don’t fall for it
Extract of article published in print in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times, WA Today on Sunday 23rd March 2025.
The traditional image of retirement – clocking out for the last time, getting your gold watch, and heading straight for a deck chair – is more fantasy than reality.
Retirement isn’t what it used to be, and thankfully, it’s no longer about winding down and slowly declining. Modern retirements can span 20 to 30 years, and for today’s 50- and 60-somethings, they could be even longer, thanks to superannuation and longer life expectancies.
A modern retirement is about embracing a new phase where we don’t have to work for income (or work much unless we want to), we still have our health, and we seek relevance, purpose, and belonging. But does that fit the word “retirement” any more?
Whether you’ve built up a solid superannuation balance or are still working on it, everyone can turn this phase into something that works for them. For some, it’s about securing enough passive income to feel financially free, then letting life unfold less actively. For most, it’s about getting their finances in order, then focusing on what’s next – finding purpose and building a new community.
Sure, the idea of sitting on a beach sounds nice for a few days (or maybe a couple of weeks), but after that? Most people crave more than just doing nothing. Modern retirement is about the freedom to pursue a second career, creative projects, or hobbies that didn’t fit into the work schedule.
This freedom comes from planning ahead – figuring out your finances early so that your choices align with your values and health. It’s about building a foundation that lets you live your best life, whatever that looks like.
And here’s the kicker: this new type of retirement is available to everyone, regardless of how much money you have. Yes, it’s tougher on a full pension, but whether you have ‘enough’ or ‘plenty,’ anyone can fall into the trap of being passive and waiting for a good retirement to come to them – but it doesn’t.
And financial freedom doesn’t automatically bring fulfilment. Even those with more than enough can struggle to find meaning and purpose in retirement.
So, if you’re craving retirement, acknowledge that the idyllic version is a myth. It’s a new phase that offers freedom, flexibility, and the chance to find joy and purpose – if you plan for it and act on your plans. With that in mind, here’s how you can make the most of this new chapter, proactively: (READ ON… here)
Read on — this article continues in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and WA Today.
How Trump's presidency and market volatility could affect YOUR super and your retirement plans
with Mary Delahunty, CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds (ASFA)
If you've been watching the markets lately and thinking about your retirement, you're probably not alone in feeling a little uneasy. I’ve been getting loads of emails from people wondering whether Trump’s latest moves will ruin their retirement and asking if it's time to move to lower-risk investments, or even to the sidelines with their super.
And i want you to stop, look and listen before you react.
In this episode of Prime Time, I sit down with Mary Delahunty, CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA). We unpack what’s really going on with your superannuation in the midst of this downturn and how to take a considered approach to the current volatility in the market, especially if you’re thinking about retirement.
And, we talk about what your super fund is doing to support you during these unpredictable times, and how you can tap into advice and guidance to help navigate the uncertainty.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Last of all, if you haven’t read the book, you can order your copy from Amazon online. Or pick up a copy at your local Big W, Dymocks, or QBD stores. And if your bookstore doesn’t have it - ask them to get it in. It’s still regularly in the Amazon Top 200.
I have a little online store where you can purchase signed copies too.
This is a real mirror of our life too. Mental health issues, a long term relationship breakup and mild neurodivergence were the reasons for our eldest returning home. It’s been challenging at times but overall, it’s been positive. My main barrier to having an epic retirement since is the amount of ‘stuff’ throughout the house, garage & shed. While engaging a decluttering expert is one solution, it’s not a long term one. Multiple adult conversations have been had. Solutions?
The other side of the coin - both of our adult children live at home. One (29) with her partner, the other (36) with his wife and 2 young children (2yo & 5yo). We are fortunate in that we all have separate accommodation on a couple of acres. Both are employed and own their own houses and rent them out. We travel for about 6 months of the year so there is always someone to look after the house and dogs. Whilst the situation may not work for everyone, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Just another point of view.